The newest camouflaged all-electric SUV from Porsche has broken a record at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb.
A camouflaged prototype of the Porsche Cayenne electric car has been seen breaking a record in the UK at Shesley Walsh, proving its SUV capability credentials despite being an electric car.
Driving the car up the Shelsley Walsh hill climb was racecar and development driver for Porsche’s Formula E Team, Gabriela Jílková.
With some spots less than four metres wide, a steep gradient of 16.7 per cent, and extending for 914 metres, the new Cayenne prototype beat the previous record for an SUV by over four seconds – coming in at 31.28 seconds.
“The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,” Jílková said afterwards.
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“There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.”
The car is equipped with Porsche Active Ride – a future feature in the upcoming SUV and currently available on select models – designed to keep the body level at all times, including braking, steering, and accelerating.
Jílková’s speed was also marked at the first measuring point at 18.3 metres in just 1.94 seconds.
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The prototype has also been in the hands of British TV presenter Richard Hammond, who has been putting it through its paces in his day-to-day life, using the Porsche to tow a more than 100-year-old car weighing close to three tonnes with the trailer, and to “run some errands”.
Porsche Cayenne Product Line Vice President Michael Schätzle said in a media statement: “Our customers have always appreciated the high utility value of the Cayenne. That’s why we didn’t want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.”
The new electric Cayenne is now in its widespread testing phase, and will be on display at the GoodWood Festival of Speed in a few days.
The Cayenne will be the latest Porsche model to be electrified, following the Macan that launched in Australia last year, and is expected to be followed by the all-electric successor to the 718 Cayman and Boxster.
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